Prevalence of Risk Factors for Hypertension Among Faculty at an Urban University in Uganda

Abstract

Purpose

Hypertension is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many people however are not aware of their possession of risk factors for hypertension. There is a paucity of literature in Uganda describing the risk profile of faculty at public universities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension risk factors among university teaching staff.

Methods

This study was conducted among faculty at Makerere University in Uganda. The modified World Health Organization STEP-wise approach for non-communicable disease surveillance was used in data collection. Hypertension was defined as having a systolic blood pressure of ≥140mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥90mmHg, or being on antihypertensive medications. Participants were enrolled from the faculty lists by proportionate to size systematic sampling until the sample size for each college was obtained. Data was collected from January to March 2018. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with hypertension.

Results

A total of 141 participants were recruited into the study. The prevalent risk factors for hypertension include physical inactivity (78.7%), overweight (46.8%), obesity (20.6%), addition of extra salt to food (46.8%), current alcohol consumption (33.3%), history of smoking (10.6%), inadequate fruit and vegetable servings per day (100%), family history of hypertension (40.4%) and a family history of diabetes (22.7%). Hypertension was prevalent at 26.2% (95% CI 18.94–33.46%). The risk factors significantly associated with hypertension included a family history of hypertension (p=0.009), obesity (p=0.008) and male gender (p = 0.029).

Conclusion

The prevalence of known hypertension risk factors among university teaching staff in urban Uganda is high. Majority of these risk factors are modifiable highlighting the need for continuous screening as well as introduction of prevention and health promotion strategies to reduce the risk burden.

Keywords:

• hypertension risk profile
• university faculty
• urban Uganda
• modifiable factors
• risk burden

Abbreviations

BMI, Body Mass Index; Cm, Centimeter; CVDs, Cardio-vascular diseases; NCDs, Non-communicable Diseases; DASH, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension; Kg, kilogram; mmHg, millimeters of mercury.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The study sought and obtained ethical clearance from Makerere University School of Health Sciences Research and Ethics Committee (Approval number SHS REC: 2017-062). All prospective participants were provided with study information and those that agreed to participate provided written informed consent.

Acknowledgments

The Authors wish to appreciate all the participants who gave their time to take part in this study. Furthermore, we appreciate the principals of the colleges in which the study took place for their maximum support.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to the conception, design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, took part in the drafting and revising of the manuscript, agreed to submit to the current journal, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

There was no funding for this study.